Passenger Asks Solo Traveler to Switch to Middle Seat So She Can Sit with Her Husband — Then 'Scoffs Aggressively' When She Declines

Mar. 15, 2025

A solo traveler had a tense exchange with a fellow passenger before her red-eye flight took off for its over seven-hour journey to the UK.

Earlier this week, she vented about the situation on Reddit’sUnited Airlinesforum writing under the usernameLeather_Pin6364. She recalled being “very pleased” that she would be sitting in Economy Plus for her flight fromDulles International Airportto London Heathrow Airport as she’d recently become a Silver member.

However, just 10 minutes after settling into her seat she overheard a couple speaking about her and it wasn’t long before the woman came over asking for a favor.

“She asks me ‘Are you traveling alone? Do you have family with you?’” the Redditor wrote. “Why is that any of your business? But I stumbled over my words saying yes I’m traveling alone.

Passengers on aircraft, stock image.Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty

Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty

“Then she proceeded to ask if I could switch seats with her husband who was in the middle and first row in economy plus so there is no under-seat storage,” she continued.The Redditor said she politely told the woman she didn’t want to swap seats because she had paid for it.

She apologized and added that she also wanted to remain in her chosen seat because she was expecting a “special meal” due to herfood allergies.

Woman in airplane, stock image.martin-dm/Getty

martin-dm/Getty

However, the woman was unimpressed with the excuses and reacted in a way that left her feeling awkward for the remainder of the lengthy flight.

“She turned to her husband on the other side of the aisle and scoffs aggressively, ‘This girl won’t switch because she paid for her seat,’” the solo traveler said. “I’m left sitting red in the face and so uncomfortable.

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Passengers at airport, stock image.Getty

Getty

“I don’t like to inconvenience people and feel for her that she can’t sit with her husband but why wouldn’t you select seats next to each other then?? Ugh not the best seat partner for a red eye,” she added.

The overwhelming majority of people in the comment section reassured the solo traveler that she had the correct response to the situation.

“She had a lot of nerve to ask that of you. In my opinion, don’t think twice. Be glad you stood your ground and managed to do so in a polite manner,” one person wrote.

“It’s totally okay for people to ask as long as they accept ‘no’  as a valid answer and stop getting all p—- about it. YOU did not inconvenience them,” another said.

“Giving up a window seat for a middle seat is an automatic no. It needs to be same for same, that’s the rule of etiquette,” a third chimed in.

“Needed to hear this! You’re totally right,” she replied.

source: people.com